Obama Talks With Karzai About U.S. Troops In Afghanistan

U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Friday regarding U.S. troops in Afghanistan in the wake of the killing of 16 Afghan civilians by a U.S. soldier.

The White House said the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a plan that calls for Afghan forces to take have full responsibility for security across Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

The two leaders also affirmed that they share the goal of building capable Afghan security forces and strengthening Afghan sovereignty so that Afghans are increasingly in charge of their own security in 2013, the White House said.

The conversation also dealt with Karzai's concerns regarding night raids and house searches as well as his concerns about the presence of foreign troops in Afghan villages.

Obama also reiterated that he looks forward to welcoming Karzai to the NATO Summit in Chicago in May, where they, along with their NATO Allies and ISAF partners, will define the next phase of transition, the White House said.